The morning sun was shining; the breeze matched the rhythm of the music I listen to while opening the office. As I moved along the sidewalk, my feet matched the rhythm, too. A few fingers on my right hand, dark from the dirt and mulch.
That’s when it caught my eye.
I was pulling weeds at work. It’s not the most glamourous part of my job…AND it’s really important. I don’t pull the weeds because it’s my favorite thing to do. Although, I do love getting my hands in dirt. I pull the weeds because the beauty that follows matters. I pull the weeds because our families are worth a welcoming space. I pull the weeds because of what happens to the flower beds if I don’t.
As I began to turn the corner, a weed further down the sidewalk caught my eye. For a brief moment, I thought about leaving it alone. It was at the far end of the sidewalk, an area where there’s not a lot of traffic, our families generally don’t park, and I don’t often walk. But once I noticed it, there was no unnoticing it. I changed directions and walked toward the weed.
What I expected was to pull a weed and be done with it. What I didn’t expect was to encounter God’s kindness in the process.
The beauty that follows.
A welcoming space.
Did you know that a weed is not just an unsightly nuisance daring us to try and find a way to eliminate it? It can also be an indicator of the soil condition. A weed and its roots can tell you if the soil is compacted, if it is lacking air, water, and nutrients.
Much like roots in the ground is the experience in our own heart and mind. When the roots connected to what has hurt us are removed, space is created for restoration, new growth, and regeneration. That space allows for change, and change, while often times challenging, births a beauty in spaces once overwhelmed with the roots of painful experiences.
A welcoming space that communicates safety and invites growth makes a difference, and the beauty that follows matters.
The roots matter, too.
As I got closer, it quickly became evident that the weed, growing in an area where I don’t generally turn my attention, had been there for a while, unnoticed, unpulled. While it’s commonly understood that roots are important for healthy plants, I’ve come to realize that roots are important for weeds, too. Left unattended, they grow, and with it their grip in the ground becomes tighter and more widespread.
Just as important as nurturing healthy roots is the removal of the ones that are not.
Healing takes work. Courageous work. Important work – work that you and I are worth.
I knelt down and began pulling out the weed. It took more than just a small pull. I had to move the dirt and mulch. I had to get my hands dirty and dig it out. And just when I thought I had it, I uncovered more. The roots went deeper. I had to keep working before it finally broke free.
Finding joy
When the weed broke free, an audible giggle escaped with it. As I physically felt the grip of the root release in my hand, what came out was laughter. As trivial as joy might appear over a pulled weed, it’s rich with purpose and depth.
There was such satisfaction in seeing and feeling it come loose. As I looked at what I had just worked to get out of the ground, my heart heard the Lord whisper, “it’s worth it.” In that moment, I was no longer looking at a weed. I was looking at the promise that says,
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” Philippians 1:6
What a promise.
How often do I struggle while doing the hard work of healing because of the grip of roots of fear? Because the unknown, what ifs, and shame paralyze me? Because I lose sight of the beauty I know will be worth it? More than I care to admit.
And, yet…and yet, in His kindness, He never stops pursuing me. He never stops finding ways to help my heart, mind, and body experience the safety of His presence and plan.
On that beautiful Friday morning, God used a weed I wanted to ignore, to gently remind my heart of His goodness and give my body a tangible experience of safety. He is worth my trust. The work of healing is worth the effort. I am worth the investment.
May this be a reminder that you are, too. 🌿
